Star Trek #21

The hit ongoing STAR TREK series picks up right where this year's blockbuster sequel STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS leaves off! Don't miss the all-new adventures of the crew as they go boldly into the unknown, in a story overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!

For someone like me, a person who has watched Star Trek in some form since being born, it's really impressive how solid this series and especially this issue is. As things built up to the movie, Star Trek Ongoing focused on character back stories and the Countdown to Darkness series gave us some background for the film. Now the comic book can stand on its own again with no movie looming over it and I couldn't be happier. This issue clearly shows that the franchise is in good hands with Johnson and Fajar. Of course, Roberto Orci is still the Story Consultant, meaning things should still stay in line with the vision for the future of the franchise whether it be films, videos games or (fingers crossed) TV shows. Read Full Review

Now that J.J. Abrams has ditched Star Trek for Star Wars, who knows when we'll see the next Trek film. Fortunately, this series looks as though it'll be able to chronicle the Enterprises five-year mission competently enough. Read Full Review

I'm kind of torn on this issue. On the one hand, I appreciate the level of detail and history that has gone into the world-building, and the way that this book clearly ties into the new Star Trek universe. On the other, I have to take issue with the series if it is only retelling the stories of the Original Series with more lensflare and snark, as part of the charm of the new version of Trek is it's willingness to vary from the traditional history of Kirk's Enterprise. In short, Star Trek #21 isn't quite all of a piece, with some lovely art, and nice storytelling techniques, but what feels a little bit like a lack of originality in the story they've chosen to deliver. Read Full Review

In fairness, the character dialogue and interactions are natural, on-point and mostly accurate (although Scotty seems a little off, for either version of the character). Despite stiff storytelling typical of books that rely on ultra-realism or photo-reffing, Fajar has the look of the characters and world down, although the influence of colourists Stellar Labs cannot be overstated in realising the glossy feel of Abrams' universe. The problem isn't with the individual moments, but with the glue binding them together. There are three plots in this book, none of which show any sign of tying into the other. Existing readers of the series may be fine with it, but as a Trek fan that came looking for more after the movie, the problem isn't just that I'm not engaged by the story, it's that I'm actively being pushed away by it. Read Full Review